CPA in Virginia

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for VA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$84,190

trending_up +3.1% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Virginia.

engineering

50,220

Jobs (VA)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,175

Est. total cost

schedule

Varies (CPA Exam must be passed within 30 months of passing the first section)

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in Virginia

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Virginia, candidates must meet specific requirements set by the Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA). Key steps include obtaining a bachelor's degree with 120 semester hours to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination, and 150 semester hours for licensure, or qualifying through new pathways effective January 1, 2026, which include a bachelor's degree with two years of experience or a master's degree with one year of experience. Candidates must pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination within a 30-month rolling period, complete 2,080 hours of accounting experience verified by a licensed CPA, and pass the AICPA Professional Ethics: Comprehensive Course with a score of 90% or higher. Virginia also offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in other U.S. jurisdictions and members of certain international professional bodies.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $57,150

25th percentile $66,560

50th (median) $84,190

75th percentile $109,670

90th (experienced) $145,750

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Virginia. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Virginia requirements

Licensing body	Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA)
State license	Required
Education	Bachelor's degree with 120 semester hours to sit for the exam; 150 semester hours for licensure. As of January 1, 2026, new pathways to licensure include a bachelor's degree with two years of experience, or a master's degree with one year of experience.
Experience	2,080.0 hours
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,182)
Application fee	$120
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	120.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Requires passing the AICPA Professional Ethics: Comprehensive Course (for Licensure) with a score of 90% or higher. An annual VBOA-approved ethics course (2 hours) is also required for renewal. Minimum age is not specified. Applicants must provide a U.S. Social Security number or control number issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

Source: Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA)

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.6%

Faster than average

Annual openings

124,200

Nationwide per year

Total employment

1,579,800

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 1.48/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period

0 months

~$1,175 investment ÷ $84,190 median salary

check_circleVirginia license required — clearer credential signal to employers
warningElevated AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a cpa career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a cpa in Virginia? expand_more

The path to cpa licensure in Virginia: complete the required education (Bachelor's degree with 120 semester hours to sit for the exam; 150 semester hours for licensure. As of January 1, 2026, new pathways to licensure include a bachelor's degree with two years of experience, or a master's degree with one year of experience.), gain 2,080.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($120 fee).

Does Virginia require cpa licensure? expand_more

You cannot practice as a cpa in Virginia without a state license from Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA). The required exam is the Uniform CPA Examination.

How much do cpas make in Virginia? expand_more

cpas in Virginia earn a median of $84,190 annually. This is close to the national median of $81,680. New cpas start around $57,150; seasoned professionals can reach $145,750.

What are the fees to become a cpa in Virginia? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($1,182) and application fee ($120). The estimated total investment is $1,175, including education and training.

How many months or years does cpa certification take in Virginia? expand_more

Most candidates in Virginia complete the process in Varies (CPA Exam must be passed within 30 months of passing the first section), from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

How many CE hours do cpas need in Virginia? expand_more

To keep your license active, Virginia mandates 120.0 CE hours every 1.0 year.